The Immortal Hunter(95)

Decker paused and glanced down to see Lucian and Justin waiting on the next landing. Justin was holding a struggling Stephanie in front of him now, frowning as he tried to control her, but Decker's attention was on his uncle; Lucian had obviously heard Dani's words. His face was grim as he added, "We'll arrange security at the enforcer house. She can stay there. Sam can help look after her, and Mortimer and the boys can train her on how to survive as one of us. The two of you are welcome to stay there as well." He glanced to Justin as he grunted and cursed as Stephanie kicked him in the groin in an effort to get away, and then turned back, his mouth twitching with amusement. "Now you two kiss and tell each other you love each other so we can get moving before your sister hurts Justin."

"Before she does? If it weren't for nanos I'd be a eunuch by now," Justin muttered, scooping up Stephanie to follow the ancient immortal as he started down the next flight of stairs.

Decker smiled faintly, but then glanced to Dani when she touched his cheek.

"There's a lot to sort out yet," she said solemnly. "And I'm not sure what the future holds, but he's right. I do love you Decker."

Smiling, he caught her hand and pressed a kiss to it. "I know."

"You know?" she asked dryly. "I tell you I love you and you say I know?"

"Well, I've already told you I love you," he pointed out. "And of course I knew you would come to love me. The nanos are never wrong."

"The nanos are never wrong," Dani echoed with disbelief, then whirled on her heel and started down the stairs, muttering, "Of course he knew I'd love him. The nanos are never wrong. Why even bother telling him?"

Decker smiled as he started to follow. He loved it when she got all huffy. She was so cute when she got like that, he hadn't been able to resist teasing her.

"So much for romance," Dani continued as she reached the next landing. "Here I am giving up my practice to become some vamp ho and I get nanos are never wrong. I should just-Ack!" she cried out, grabbing for his shoulders as he suddenly scooped her up.

"What are you doing?" she asked with dismay.

"Giving you romance," he said solemnly, stepping closer to the wall to lean against it.

"You're wounded, Decker," she cried with exasperation. "Put me down before you hurt yourself. Dear God, you-"

Decker kissed her into silence, not stopping until she stopped struggling in his arms. Then he lifted his head and said, "I love you, Dani McGill, soon to be Maybe-Argeneau-Maybe-Pimms."

The anger melted out of Dani, her eyes softened, and she sighed. "I love you too, Decker."

"You are not a vamp ho, and while you might have to give up your practice, you can still practice your profession. There are many situations where your medical degree would come in handy and our boys can always use your skills."

"I somehow don't think so," she said with amusement.

"You're wrong," he assured her.

"Decker, I'm a gynecologist."

"Did you say gynecologist?" Justin asked, drawing their attention to the fact that he, Stephanie, and Lucian were waiting on the lower landing again. A big grin was stretching his face as he said, "What an awesome job! You get to spend the entire day looking at-"

"Justin!" Dani, Decker, and Lucian snapped at once.

"We'll wait for you in the van," Lucian growled, pushing Justin toward the next flight of stairs.

Decker watched them go and then turned to find Dani peering up at him. He cleared his throat and said, "Immortals have babies too."

She nodded, but said, "Stephanie's going to be upset about not being able to go home."

"We'll have to help her through it," he said quietly, and saw her eyes mist before she leaned her head against his shoulder.

"What about our parents?"

He sighed and set her down, trying not to look too relieved as he did. She wasn't heavy, but he wasn't as strong as normal, and holding her had hurt his chest though he'd never have admitted it.

Once on her own feet, she continued, "Will they think we're just missing, or-?"

"That's up to you," he said solemnly. "They can be left to wonder what happened to the two of you, or we can arrange for them to believe your bodies have been found with those in the ravine up north along with the others."

She glanced at him sharply. "The authorities haven't been sent to find the women yet?"

"No. Lucian thought it would be better if we waited to see what happened with you and Stephanie first."

"In case we had to be added to the bodies?" she realized grimly.

He didn't answer, but suspected that's what his uncle had been thinking.

"Our parents will be upset," she added.

"We can arrange to help them through it, make it less painful for them," he said, and then added carefully, "Or we might be able to arrange it so that they think everything's all right. They could continue to believe that you and Stephanie were just enjoying a couple of days in the city."

"But she can't live with them," Dani said with a frown.

"No, but we could put it into their minds that Stephanie's at a boarding school and that you've just taken a job elsewhere. That way the two of you could occasionally visit with your family."